The turnover on the University of Washington basketball roster — with more than three-quarters of players replaced — prompted new coach Danny Sprinkle to pull out of the annual Gonzaga basketball rivalry game, at least for now, he said on a podcast Monday.
Sprinkle was left with only senior center Franck Kepnang, senior forward Wilhelm Breidenbach and scholarship freshman forward Chris King and nothing else when he replaced the fired Mike Hopkins, forcing him to bring in 10 transfers and recruits.
As a newly hired coach, he exercised a contractual clause to opt out of Gonzaga’s games next season in Spokane and the following year at home, giving him time to develop the Husky program.
“When we got the job, our program was at its best, we had just three players,” Sprinkle told Jon Rothstein on College Hoops Today. “I didn’t think that was the best thing for our program. This year, (the Zags) could have one of the best teams they’ve ever had.”
Danny Sprinkle in the #TodayTodayTodayToday Podcast:
His only season at Utah State, leading Washington to the Big Ten, Great Bears and much more.
Plus a deep dive into Arthur Kaluma, Texas and more.https://t.co/gWKDSWDRfv
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 1, 2024
As it stands, Sprinkle confirmed the Huskies will face Nevada, Washington State and Seattle U in non-conference games next season as he looks to add a pair of home matchups, especially with so many Big Ten trips ahead for his team.
The new coach explained that the Huskies will need to charter planes to travel to and from the Midwest and East Coast for five Big Ten road trips, in addition to the conference’s postseason tournament.
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